Reflection by Deacon Russ for 4th Sunday of Easter

Jesus is risen! But where does that leave us? Last Sunday the Gospel challenged us to preach and listen. But where does that leave us? Abandoned? Sheep without a shepherd? This Sunday’s Gospel tells us otherwise. We have a shepherd and he is good.

Jesus is the “good” shepherd because he accomplished what he came to do. This Gospel gives us two important insights that carry us further into the Mystery of resurrection.

First, Jesus tells us that “I know mine and mine know me.” Here “know” doesn’t refer to a cold, distant exercise so much as it describes “being known” in the context of an intimate relationship. John uses the same word to describe the communion and unity between the Father and Jesus. “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father,” Jesus’ relationship with us is much more than the shepherd “owning” the sheep. Rather, our relationship with Jesus is so intimate that we are to “be called children of God.” The manner in which Jesus our Good Shepherd knows us brings about a new, resurrected identity – an intimacy and communion with each other that makes us all one flock and makes us God’s children now.

Second, Jesus is the Good Shepherd precisely because he laid down his life for his sheep. By choosing to lay down his life, we see and learn that his voice will never abandon us, not even at death. In that, we know the incredible love and care that Jesus has for us. In that, we experience the power of the resurrection.

We have all seen pictures of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, carrying a sheep in his arms or on his shoulders. It has always struck me that sheep are usually pretty dirty but, in almost all the pictures, Jesus’ clothes are always clean. Reminds me of a story. Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove (and he didn't know how the stove worked!).

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas dirty and sticky in the process.

That's how Jesus the Good Shepherd deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Sometimes our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend or we can't stand our job or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when Jesus picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over him. He indeed is the Good Shepherd. He knows my voice. Do I know his?

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.